Police warn Ellsworth-area residents about rash of break-ins

ELLSWORTH, Maine — At least 10 daytime jewelry burglaries have occurred in the area during the last four months, prompting police to warn local residents to lock their doors and keep an eye on their neighbors’ homes.

In one incident on Sept. 6, a burglar fled a Mariaville home just as the residents were returning, according to Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi of the Maine State Police. A jewelry box and jewelry were found behind the house near where the burglar jumped off an eight-foot-high deck.

In another instance, around $6,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from an Ellsworth home, though in most cases the value of the jewelry was much less.

“They just knock on the door and if nobody comes to the door they break in,” Detective Dotty Small of the Ellsworth Police Department said. Police suspect that the burglaries may be related and that the culprit or culprits are approaching homes under false pretenses, she said.

Small listed Bridge, Happytown and Nicollin roads as places where other burglaries have occurred. Lt. Harold Page noted that homes on Route 180 and Winkumpaugh Road also were targeted.

The Maine State Police are investigating the burglary in the nearby town of Mariaville that may be related to the crimes in Ellsworth.

Small is advising residents in the area to notify the police if they see anything suspicious. She can be reached at 669-6614.

“Lock your doors and keep an eye on your neighbors’ home,” Small said.